SOCAL Steering Committee

FOUNDER & CHAIR

Akima is the Founder and Chair of the Society of Caribbean Lawyers. Born and raised in Grenada, she is a distinguished UK solicitor-advocate and US litigation attorney with nearly two decades of top-tier legal experience. As one of the few Black female law firm partners in the UK, Akima is passionate about equity, inclusion and pro bono work. Akima recognises the urgent need for advocacy and coalition building on important legal issues affecting the Caribbean region and its diaspora. To that end, her primary pro bono project today focuses on achieving justice for Windrush claimants.

PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

Akeya is a proud British Virgin Islander and recent LLB Law (Hons) graduate. She is set to commence the Bar Vocational Studies with a Master’s in September 2024, eager to develop her skills and pursue a career at the Bar. In her role, she intends to keep SOCAL's supporters informed and engaged with the organisation’s activities and events.

COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER

Ardis is a Financial Crime Lawyer at an international firm in London. She is proud of her Guyanese heritage and enjoys regular trips to the region. She is a keen supporter of Caribbean culture and heritage in the UK particularly increasing visibility within the legal sector.

TREASURER

Dwight Wilson is a Trainee Solicitor at Milberg London LLP, a firm specialising in high profile commercial litigation and competition law cases. Dwight graduated with a first class law degree from the University of Birmingham, most notably attaining 83% in his dissertation on the legal implications of the Windrush Scandal. During his time at the university, Dwight was a founding committee member and secretary of “The Caribbean Union”, a society specifically designed to cater to the needs of the Caribbean community. He aspires to take his impact to the next level by fusing his legal interests and desire to continue connecting those within the Caribbean community through his role on the SOCAL committee.

WEB OFFICER

Felisa is a Trainee Solicitor at CMS. As a woman of Jamaican heritage, Felisa is passionate about the work done by SOCAL and is dedicated to working with the Steering Committee and SOCAL's members to advance SOCAL’s mission.

VICE CHAIR

Ivana Javis is a Trinidadian lawyer, holding an LLB from the University of the West Indies, Barbados where she graduated with honours and an LEC from Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad and Tobago. With a passion for promulgating Caribbean culture, Ivana actively devotes time to initiatives and events that celebrate and promote the rich heritage of the Caribbean. She has cultivated a keen interest in foreign policy, geopolitics and international law and outside of her professional life, she is a vocalist who enjoys travelling and theatre.

STUDENT OUTREACH OFFICER

James is currently completing a Masters of Corporate and Commercial Law at Queen Mary University of London and will begin the Bar Vocational Studies at City University of London in September. James is a member of Middle Temple and a recipient of the Blackstone Scholarship. James is pursuing a career at the Commercial and Chancery Bars. James is citizen of Jamaica and Barbados. James is excited to work with SOCAL to help student members thrive socially and professionally.

SPONSORSHIPS OFFICER

Johari is an Associate in the Energy / Infrastructure team at Hogan Lovells. She advises governments, developers and lenders on energy and infrastructure development in emerging markets, including the Caribbean. Johari’s Grandmother is Bajan and Johari spent the last year of her history degree researching workers’ rights and civil unrest in Barbados. As our Sponsorships Officer, Johari connects with law firms, chambers, legal services companies and other organisations in the legal sector and invites them to support SOCAL. If you’re interested in supporting our mission through sponsorship, please get in touch.

EVENTS OFFICER

Kedesha is currently a career changer and postgraduate law student of Jamaican heritage. As an Events Officer, she looks forward to working with fellow committee members to develop an engaging and impactful programme of activity over the next term to further develop and increase the visibility of SOCAL’s work.

REGIONAL DIVISION HEAD

Lara is currently a Regional Governance Manager in the insurance industry and studying a CiLEX law qualification, with a keen interest in Commercial & Business Law. Specifically, Ai Regulation. Being of Jamaican heritage, Lara has taken an affinity to SOCAL and its mission and aims to work with the committee to propagate the success of SOCAL even further.

STUDENT OUTREACH OFFICER

Leanne is British-Jamaican and graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2023 with a first class languages degree. She is a future trainee solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills. She has been on the SOCAL committee as Student Outreach Officer since 2023.

EVENTS OFFICER

As a career-changer from the non-profit sector, Matthew brings extensive experience from organisations like UNICEF and the Red Cross, where he excelled in donor outreach and marketing. His legal studies at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill deepened his love for the Caribbean, shaping his professional journey. With a master’s in international tax law, Matthew is passionate about supporting the Caribbean community in London and contributing to SOCAL's mission.

COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER

Reanne is of Grenadian and Jamaican heritage and grew up in London. She is a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance and engages in many pro bono activities, with an emphasis on protecting the rights of people in the Caribbean, especially those who are experiencing sexual and gender discrimination. Reanne is very committed to supporting the region and aims to foster new collaborations with partner organisations as the Community Liaison Officer.

EVENTS OFFICER

Reginald is a proud Guyanese with almost a decade of experience having qualified as a barrister and solicitor in 2015. He carries a wealth of legal experience and insight from the Caribbean, South Pacific and UK. Reginald holds a passion for sharing gems and opening doors for the aspiring lawyers of our communities.

SECRETARY

Shanice brings a rich cultural heritage from her Trinidadian and Jamaican roots. Her academic journey led her to Nottingham Trent University, where she delved into the intricacies of Law and emerged as a proud graduate in 2022. Shanice eagerly anticipates contributing to SOCAL’s shared objectives as part of the dynamic Steering Committee.

SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER

Shannakaye is presently gaining Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) according to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) guidelines, aiming to qualify as a solicitor. Born in Jamaica to Jamaican parents and raised in London, Shannakaye offers a unique perspective on engaging SOCAL’s members across multiple social media platforms.

PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

Stacee is a qualified UK solicitor, Bermuda barrister and an internationally published writer. She has been featured in various publications including The Guardian and the UK Black History Month Magazine, and she also worked as a COVID-19 Communications Officer for the Bermuda Government, Department of Health. Although she currently lives in London, Stacee was born and raised in Bermuda and she enjoys connecting with fellow islanders.